The Griffin — Gastropub
Sandton
Bar in Sandton, South Africa
Book with PearlWhy go
The Griffin is a gastropub at Illovo Junction on Oxford Road, positioned as an easy, no-fuss option for Sandton and Rosebank locals who want solid food and a proper drinks selection without the formality of a restaurant booking. Booking is straightforward, parking is practical, the pub format makes it a reliable casual choice in northern Johannesburg.
About The Griffin — Gastropub
Quick Verdict
The Griffin is one of the few gastropubs at Illovo Junction that draws a consistent crowd without requiring advance planning. Booking is easy, the format is approachable, the Oxford Road corner location makes it a practical pick for Sandton workers and Illovo residents who want a proper pub meal without the formality of a restaurant booking. If you are after a relaxed midweek drink or a casual Saturday lunch in northern Johannesburg, The Griffin is worth putting on your shortlist.
What to Know Before You Go
The Griffin sits at the intersection of Oxford Road and Corlett Drive in Illovo, which puts it within easy reach of Sandton CBD, Rosebank, the broader northern suburbs. The Illovo Junction address means parking is direct, which matters if you are arriving by car. As a gastropub format, expect a menu that sits between a bar and a full-service restaurant; solid food, a selection of drinks, an atmosphere designed for lingering rather than quick-turnaround dining.
On the spirits front, gastropubs in this tier across Johannesburg typically anchor their back bar around whisky and gin, both of which have seen significant growth in the South African on-trade market over the past five years. If that is your category of choice, The Griffin's pub format is a natural fit: the setting encourages exploration across a range of pours rather than a single-bottle focus. For a more curated spirits experience in the city, Sin + Tax in Johannesburg offers a dedicated cocktail-forward program worth comparing.
Price-to-value is where gastropubs generally make their case, The Griffin is positioned to deliver on that. You are not paying Sandton fine-dining rates, but you are getting a step above a standard bar. For value-seekers who want food alongside their drinks without a lengthy tasting menu commitment, the format works. Compare it against San Deck, Bar and Restaurant if you want a pool-adjacent alternative in the same northern Johannesburg corridor.
No awards data is confirmed for The Griffin at this stage. Check current hours and any seasonal menu changes directly with the venue before visiting, as gastropub programming in Johannesburg can shift around public holidays and school terms. For a broader view of the area, see our full Sandton bars guide and our full Sandton restaurants guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 5, Illovo Junction, Oxford Rd & Corlett Drive, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
- Phone
- +27 11 447 9842
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Griffin presents as a corner gastropub that privileges balance over extremes. It reads less like a high-polish hotel bar or a loud sports tavern and more like a considered neighbourhood anchor where the back bar and kitchen carry equal weight. That dual focus gives the place a classic pub backbone softened by a modern, gastropub sensibility: approachable, unpretentious and built for lingering. The editorial framing centers the spirits collection as proof of intent, so the room feels purposefully appointed for both solid drinking and thoughtfully prepared food rather than for a single, narrow mode of service.
Best For
The Griffin works best for informal evenings out when a group wants dependable food alongside serious drinks. Its gastropub format and emphasis on a curated back bar make it a natural spot for after-work rounds or a casual group outing where conversation and shared plates matter equally. The venue’s placement at a busy Illovo junction and its role as a neighbourhood anchor make it suitable for local meetups and relaxed dinners rather than formal business meals or late-night party scenes.
Ordering Tips
Take cues from the bar: the write-up repeatedly highlights the back bar as the venue’s editorial argument, so start by asking the staff about standout spirits or cocktails. Because the gastropub is pitched as an equal-parts food-and-drink operation, pair drinks with the kitchen’s offerings rather than treating one as an afterthought. Opt for shareable plates or classic gastropub dishes to match the bar’s depth, and lean on the bartenders’ knowledge when you want something spirits-forward rather than a generic pub pour.
Venue details
Ambiance
Contemporary and cool atmosphere blending classic and modern design elements in the heart of Sandton's upscale district.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Pub
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
Planning details
Location
5, Illovo Junction, Oxford Rd & Corlett Drive, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Asoka; Notable alternative
- Cafe Caprice; Notable alternative
- Planet Bar; Notable alternative
- Sin + Tax; Notable alternative
- The Wine Shop by Caraffa; Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
The Griffin occupies a different tier to most of its Sandton-area peers. Asoka is a stronger pick if atmosphere and cocktail craft are your priority; it has more identity as a destination bar. Sin + Tax wins on cocktail program depth. The Griffin's advantage is simplicity: it is easier to book, more casual in format, better suited to a group that wants food and drinks without committing to a cocktail bar environment.
Planet Bar trades on hotel prestige and a refined setting, which is the right call for a client dinner or a special occasion. The Griffin is not competing there. If your group wants a relaxed Thursday evening with no dress code pressure and no minimum spend, The Griffin is the more practical choice. The Wine Shop by Caraffa works if wine is the focus rather than spirits or pub food.
For value-seekers comparing the Illovo and Sandton strip, The Griffin sits in the accessible middle: more substance than a casual bar, less commitment than a full restaurant. Cafe Caprice operates in a different city context entirely. Within the Johannesburg gastropub format, The Griffin's Illovo Junction address gives it a location edge for anyone based between Rosebank and Sandton. See our full Sandton experiences guide and our full Sandton hotels guide for broader trip planning context.
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Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Griffin — Gastropub guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Griffin — Gastropub
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Griffin; Gastropub | Easy | No published awards |
| Asoka | Unknown | 2012 World's 50 Best Bars · #502009 World's 50 Best Bars · #45 |
| Cafe Caprice | Unknown | 2010 World's 50 Best Bars · #27 |
| Planet Bar | Unknown | 2010 World's 50 Best Bars · #292009 World's 50 Best Bars · #43 |
| Sin + Tax | Unknown | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #404Top 500 Bars 2026 · #195Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best International Bar Team – Middle East & Africa * - Best International Bar Team – Middle East & Africa * (Regional Top 10 Honoree)2024 World's 50 Best Bars · #812023 World's 50 Best Bars · #94 |
| The Wine Shop by Caraffa | Unknown | No published awards |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation at The Griffin; Gastropub?
For most visits, no; The Griffin is one of the easier bookings at Illovo Junction and draws repeat footfall without requiring advance planning. Weekend evenings are the exception; if you have a fixed party size or a time constraint, a same-day call is sensible insurance.
Is the food good at The Griffin; Gastropub?
The Griffin operates in the gastropub format, which typically means accessible, crowd-pleasing dishes rather than technically ambitious cooking. It holds a consistent local following at Illovo Junction, which is a reliable signal of quality-to-value ratio. If you are looking for a more wine-focused or chef-driven experience, The Wine Shop by Caraffa is the stronger pick in the area.
Is The Griffin; Gastropub good for a date?
It works for a low-pressure, early-stage date where the goal is easy conversation over food and drinks rather than a considered tasting menu. The Illovo Junction location is convenient from both Sandton CBD and Rosebank. For a more atmosphere-forward date venue, Planet Bar or Asoka would set a stronger tone.
Does The Griffin; Gastropub have happy hour deals?
No happy hour details are confirmed in the venue data for The Griffin. Gastropubs at Illovo Junction commonly run drinks specials on weekday evenings, so it is worth asking directly when you arrive or call ahead. Cafe Caprice is a better-documented option if drinks promotions are the deciding factor.
